The following quote is taken from John MacArthur’s Ashamed of the Gospel:
“Many of those who remained true to the faith were nevertheless reluctant to fight for what they believed in. Evangelical preaching was often cold and lifeless, and even those who held to sound doctrine were careless about where they drew the line in their associations with others: “Those who were really orthodox in their sentiments were too often lax and unfaithful as to the introduction of heretical ministers into their pulpits, either as assistants or occasional preachers. In this way…heresies were introduced…Within only a few decades, the Puritan fervor that had so captured the soul of England gave way to dry, listless apostate teaching. Churches became lax in granting membership privileges to the unregenerate. People who were, in Shindler’s words, “strangers to the work of renewing grace” nevertheless claimed to be Christians and were admitted to membership-even leadership…These people “chose them pastors after their own hearts, men who could, and would, and did, cry ‘Peace, peace,’ when the only way of peace was ignored or denied.”
The above quote is built around a man who wrote at the time of Spurgeon and the Down-Grade Controversy. As these were the things happening sometime after revival happened and reflect churches on the way down, a look at them may be helpful in order to focus on the things that need to happen. Without any question Spurgeon thought that the Down-Grade was a deadly serious business. In fact, the struggle over it and the surrounding troubles most likely brought on his death. The issue, however, is not just what happened in history, but what is happening now. When Spurgeon withdrew from the Baptist Union, things were not as bad as now. He was appalled at what he was hearing, but they were not as bad then as now. “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Eph 6:18). Revival is a many-faceted issue, but we must be alert and start to pray. We all live in a nation and professing Church which are on the down-grade. We cannot get away from this fact. But we must know that we should also pray in terms of these things. There are many points from the past that need our present attention from the quote above. Some are:
1. Careless about the truth and so reluctant to fight for the truth
2. Careless to allow or have come from us cold and lifeless preaching
3. Careless about our associations with others
4. Careless about letting people who are not sound in theology preach and teach
5. Careless in attitude about admitting unregenerate people into membership
6. Careless about admitting unregenerate men into the leadership of churches and even the pastorate
7. Careless to have men who cry “peace, peace” while they ignore the only true way of peace
We must begin to be more alert as to those around us and pray. We must pray that we will begin to love the truth so much that we are willing to fight for it. Scripture tells us to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). It is sin to be careless about the truth and not fight for it. We must pray for the Spirit to give warmth and affection in our preaching. It is sin to coldly preach the glory of God and the Gospel. We must think seriously about our associations with others. In many ways we are commanded to come out and be separate (II Cor 6:17). It is only when that happens that He says then “you will be sons and daughters to Me.” We must not be careless about who we are allowing preach and teach. Not only does it matter to the souls of people, but it matters to God what people say about Him. We are commanded to preach the word (II Tim 4:2) and to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15).
The local church consists of believers, so we must have some standards of membership. While those may not be perfect, if we don’t have solid standards we are allowing non-spiritual people into membership and the church will be filled with unbelievers deciding things for the church. When unbelieving men, though nice and sincere about many things, are allowed into the ministry, it is utterly destructive. Then a false gospel will be preached. We are in a spiritual war. Ministers must wake up and pray for true revival and reformation in the Church. All must pray for these things. We must earnestly seek revival and God’s face for spiritual fervor to correct these things.